Ep1: We Are Restoring a 70 Year Old London Double Decker Bus | Meet Our New Restoration Project

In this episode we introduce you to our latest restoration project - RT2629 is London double decker bus built in 1951. Looks like we have our work cut out restoring this 70 year old London Bus!
What does it take to keep a London double decker bus on the road?
Filmed in the UK at the Routemaster 4 Hire HQ in Wrexham, North Wales we are passionate about London buses and with 7 vintage buses in the fleet we defiantly have our work cut out!
Also don't forget to check-out all our AEC Routemaster London bus restoration videos in this playlist...
• London Bus Restoration...
About Us:
We offer our London buses for private hire.
We are proud to have the privilege of owning one of London’s most recognisable sights - the iconic London Routemaster Double Decker Bus!
Our beautifully restored red London double-decker buses are available for Weddings and Special Events across North Wales and the Northwest UK, they add some nostalgic novelty and a touch of class to any occasion.
For more information, please visit our website: www.routemaster4hire.co.uk
#londonbus #rtbus #routemaster4hire

[@ralphjacobs4562]

It´s an RT - i do like them more than the RMs, there even more beautiful. More, I want MORE !!! ;-)

[@AJSAN1971]

Bloody hell! Not seen 2629 since it lived out at Tilbury Docks in the very early 90s, guy called Colin owned it back then. It didn't move in the three years I was using the place but give the old girl some credit, on moving out day she fired up and drove away. Be good to see how the project progresses, I'm sure Lord Barrington will be invaluable as ever. Good luck with the project.

[@johntovey3928]

So happy to see an RT being restored, I drove them in service ( as well as RML’s) . My real favorite bus

[@jacksugden8190]

Just saw Episode 5 with same bus, five years was a long commitment, bet that bus will look like a Rolls-Royce Phantom when finished!.

[@charlieboyok]

Remember them when l was a kid living in Lambeth south London l loved the ticking over sound , the wiring of the ticket machine , flashy chrome oh yeah it takes me back 65 now living in Melbourne Australia god miss those days , hoping to get back to England soon 😭

[@dazzlerbob1870]

5 Years! Hopefully I live that long! Good luck.

[@mikecollings6889]

You have your work cut out this time! But as before it will in time look amazing... keep up the fantastic work.

[@johnboytd]

Boy Oh Boy! I have seen the restoration of RM1214 That was thorough! I can imagine your RT will be to a very high standard! Best Wishes!

[@Routemaster4Hire]

Thanks John

[@EdVanMeyer]

Nice another historic London bus has been saved. I like both the RT and Routemaster series buses. I loved having a drive on a selection of Routemasters some years ago.

[@Big.Al.3]

Wishing you the best of luck with the RT. Looking forward to your first film.

[@michaelkeen5010]

Great to see an RT being restored in your very capable hands, look forward to progress.

[@jamesbalchin4640]

Love the restros

[@5735HT]

The RT is iconic. Thank you for saving

[@MARTINA-gc3tq]

The AEC RT were the buses I grew up with in the 60s. In Hertfordshire they were green....great memories. Good luck with the project.

[@kennethmead5125]

Looking forward to this project, I have always been a big fan of RT,s as well RMs, travelled on both bus types as kid. Well done for wanting to save another.

[@jamesbalchin4640]

David you definitely have to have a tv programme on quest or discovery

[@blackbirdmark495]

The new RT is definitely going to keep you occupied for the foreseeable future, i look forward to seeing many more RT restoration videos. Keep up the good work & congratulations to all the members of your team 👍.

[@ianmaddams9577]

Can’t wait to see this beautiful RT bought back to glory . More outtakes videos pls . You guys are so funny 👍🏻

[@Routemaster4Hire]

More to come soon!

[@lostlullo]

Good to see Tim fully involved front and centre in the restoration project. Looking forward to see more content about this behemoth.

[@Routemaster4Hire]

Thanks 👍

[@davidbassett4577]

Oh wonderful.. an RT! Great memories of riding in both Country Area Green ones and Red Central Area ones back in the day … and since the last ones were retired in 1979 at many a Bus Running Day. Good Luck with this long term restoration project … look forward to seeing her progress on your superb videos … Aldenham & Chiswick would be proud of you!

[@bison345]

Looking forward to watching the videos on this project.

[@kevinwoodruff8994]

Can't wait for the restoration on this RT I used to go to school on them can't wait for the videos I'm so excited. 👍👌

[@keith1222]

Glad to see you back guys! Looking forward to seeing you complete your (mammoth!) project.

[@Routemaster4Hire]

Us too!

[@dfishpool7052]

This is great news - well done guys for taking on this challenge.

[@JannHofmann]

Soo cool that you show us the restorations of a rt bus, great content!!!

[@garethpotter8922]

These videos get better and better I do so wish I was clever enough to restore my own rt or routmaster keep them coming guys

[@richardsinnott3454]

This is going to be a great build to watch looking at its current condition. But you guys are really good at doing what you do, and so I have no doubt within the 5 years that it will pass it’s next MOT with a clean bill of health, and looking shiny and pristine to be added to the going out fleet. Well done chaps

[@karenroscoe2666]

Thankyou forsharing your very interesting videos , they give Great Joy , and much information a real treat. Take Care.

[@Routemaster4Hire]

Thank you Karen.

[@dennis38y]

Looking forward immensely to seeing this restoration! Cheers guys !

[@chris_A8502]

Your videos are excellent and I do like Routemasters, but my favourite LT buses were the RTs so I'm delighted to see you tackling this restoration. If you achieve the same level of quality as you have your Routemasters then it will be a very special bus. Good luck.

[@Routemaster4Hire]

Glad you like them!

[@michaelstaley2241]

Very interesting your video are informative

[@tonywolton]

I was young, keen, and no idea. Back in the late 70s I was involved with 2629. Blame me for the bad repaint, the rusted window pans stuffed with newspaper and filled over with P38. I did at least try to rectify my sins later by taking a 3 year bodywork course at Tile Hill college, Coventry, 1999 - 2002. I like to think my newspaper days are over. By the way, the old style AEC wheel hub covers came off a Stockwell RM. I was a driver there, and could not resist the swap, 2629 had the standard red, white and blue AEC covers. If I had of been caught, P45. I will enjoy watching your videos.

[@Routemaster4Hire]

If you are ever in North Wales make sure you pop in to see how we are getting on with her.

[@tonywolton]

@@Routemaster4Hire Nice invite, no rush, but maybe 2 or 3 of us could visit, one a former mechanic from Streatham garage, its last LT garage. We are all 'keen'.

[@alexbonham2361]

You got work cut out but I think you guys will have fun doing it

[@888johnmac]

based on the RM restoration , this will be a stunning ( & more importantly reliable ) addition to the fleet , will be a fascinating series

[@Mountain-Man-3000]

Exciting!

[@richarddecoster4464]

Really enjoy the videos on the restoration of these buses and seeing PM videos as well 😀. In Maine I drive a bobtail truck delivering propane and we have to do PTI and ATI inspections on every truck we drive. We also have have state inspections on all our vehicles a sticker is placed inside the cab on the windshield good for a year. PTI and ATI inspections are done daily.

[@Tom-kw6km]

Gosh, I remember seeing a Routemaster gutted that far when we customized one as a mobile dance club for Red Bull in Los Angeles. We cut out 70 percent of the upper floor and made a VIP area next to the stairs and a DJ booth at the front over the engine. A small 18 inch (45.72 cm) wide catwalk connected the two areas. I made a custom air conditioning system that ran the full length opposite of the catwalk. Then I got to drive to and from the paint shop and it was scary. I never had driven anything that large before! That drivers' compartment was cramped though.

[@rarerufus8864]

Brilliant! Like Kevin I was taken to school by RTs back in the 60s, the single fare was 7d if I recall and when it became 8d my parents were not amused! Very near the top of my bucket list is to drive one so if you know of anywhere do please tell. Meanwhile I'm so looking forward to your restoration for the trusty AEC Regent holds such great memories. South Croydon, TC garage code, was where I often hung out back in the day. Never really appreciated the RMs when they took over, never quite the same. Great videos guys, keep 'em coming. 👏

[@leejones286]

Hello guys it is good to see that you are restoring a RT. As that is the bus that started my interest in London buses. Good luck with the restoration guys.

[@jeffreydavies9036]

Looking forward to seeing this restoration take place. Love the vids Jeff

[@PE3FS]

Nothing wrong with it? You are missing some parts thats all. Looking forward to all your videos

[@Johnkels100]

Same age as me , Hope I see the end of the restoration, Great channel.

[@Routemaster4Hire]

Thanks 👍

[@normmcrae1140]

I just found you guys and had to binge-watch the restoration of RM1214! Now I can't wait to see your RT get resurrected! From the glimpses you showed - it's going to be a LOT of work! I'll be watching!

[@johnkenyon1532]

Can't wait for the first install. Perhaps you can explain the main differences between an RT and an RM

[@allanmason7544]

routemaster team great work great videos love watching

[@jamesfrench7299]

RT is very apt. It's aRT on wheels.

[@MannyAntipov]

Great to see an RT bus

[@alexeatonexploresamerica5511]

EJOYED THE HIT THE THUMBS UP EVERBODY

[@rosmeartoo]

I have not recorded having seen this particular RT. Please tell us a little more about it. It was built in 1949 or 1950 (according to Ian Allen publication London Transport Buses & Coaches 18th edition) & originally delivered with an RT 3/3 Saunders body on it with the original bonnet N° RT1350, which body does it now have ? From 1956 to 1968 my family lived in Raynes Park (SW London) with RFs passing the house. Not far away were the 604 & 605 trolleybus routes (I rode for 30 metres on the last tb in service). On the south side of the main line railway (Waterloo to Bournemouth) were RTs & RTLs from Merton & Stretham garages on which I travelled to school. Heading towards Kingston were the RLHs of the 127 route, needed due to the low bridge at Worcester Park and then in Kingston the last of the TDs. I should still have a Routemaster service manual that I (inadvertently) swapped for a trolleybus window plan that I had hoped to keep in order to make models. I may still be able to find a photo taken from inside an RT on the skid pan at Chiswick, taken during a college visit to the works. That was fun but we were also shown the metal spraying unit where a technique pioneered by LT was used to bring crankshaft bearing surfaces back up to new spec diameter, impressive. Keep up the good work

[@darrencowley8265]

Hi nice one can't wait for the video's and thankyou so much for take care 😊👍🏻

[@petersmith4455]

hi there. what a great project. whats the AEC 9.6 engine like? i suggest new oil in the engine if the engine is in reasnable condition. the 9.6 is a good engine if looked after,good luck,,peter ex AEC ltd, 1969-1979.

[@Extrikit]

I remember them on the Dartford route late 70s. Must have been close to the last route for the old RTs.

[@Routemaster4Hire]

Yes it would have been, all were withdrawn by 1979.

[@christopherdalton9171]

I'm sure it will be well worth the time and effort to restore an RT type bus as the team did with the Routemaster buses. London Transport may never have bettered the RT type bus-a beautiful looking vehicle- giving decades of excellent service to the traveling public but it has to be said, the London Transport draughtsmen and engineers created an equal with the Routemaster. The RMs proved their worth over again with the buses giving excellent performance to users particularly in central London. London Transport got it right back then designing buses not just to be functional but to look good as well and having facilities such as the engineering department at Chiswick and Aldenham Overhaul Works ensuring that buses were properly maintained to see further service to the traveling public- all this, not matched by other cities within the UK. Was it any wonder why the RT and the RM lasted so long?

[@mikerobson3328]

great to see a RT getting a new lease on life great stuff all the best from downunder

[@Routemaster4Hire]

Thanks Mike

[@johnnyrvf]

I lived in Chiswick between 1972 and 1982 as a very young lad. I knew both Turnham Green Garage and the big works at Gunnesbury well. I even considered a job there but being young and stupid, chose another career!

[@Routemaster4Hire]

Would have loved at tour round the old Chiswick works back in the day.

[@redroutemaster]

Still got that AEC AH engine here for AV conversion and rebuild 😉

[@drivingandflying]

Great project. I enjoyed your previous restoration and look forward to following on the journey for this one.

[@Routemaster4Hire]

Thank you very much!

[@alexeatonexploresamerica5511]

SHE IS BUITIFULL

[@Ulsterbusman129]

If you guys can you should paint her in the london transport green as it’s something a little different

[@waynetetley584]

Nice to see. Well done 👍

[@sodor_dan-da-man]

Fantastic. Would love to get involved in restoring the routemaster buses and any other type and also driving. Got a current psv with medical until Jan 23. How can i get involved?

[@davidvivian596]

Was your new RT ever a London Country or Green Line bus?

[@crewealex1125]

Here's our new project, about 2/3 of an RT!

[@a11csc]

better than modern rubbish

[@NaoPb]

Not a fan of short videos to be honest. And I'd rather hear the engine instead of the music. For me, part of what makes a Routmaster a Routmaster is that diesel engine.

[@AgathaAndAnything]

Excuse my ignorance but as you’ve turned me into a (semi) bus wanker with the RM stuff (along with Pete and his bus) is this the previous bus to the RM? Is it like the bus in the film Summer Holiday? Sometimes it’s not just the vehicle that interests me the presentation and enjoyment you seem to have that makes it a good channel to watch. 👍

[@Routemaster4Hire]

Yes this bus pre-dates the Routemaster and was indeed the type used in Summer Holiday.

[@physiocrat7143]

A question on this restoration. Is it practical to use plastic inserts instead of the original timber?

[@Routemaster4Hire]

Good point. Plastic would probably last longer, but we are restoring the bus using original materials so plastic would not be an option for us.

[@physiocrat7143]

@@Routemaster4Hire If you don't want to use plastic there are some timber species with good natural rot resistance. I would think teak would last well and it does not absorb moisture and swell, due to being naturally oily. Pressure treatment chemicals can be toxic and might corrode the steel framing. The timber inserts in the RT framing was something that the Cobham Museum people used to complain about.

[@rexstonbull250]

onwards and upwards .

[@mazdarx7887]

5 years?

[@Threelinkdave]

Always wondered if RT stands for anything. I have heard Route Traveler but this ghas equally been po-pooed. As a child we were served by both RT - ROUTE 75 and RTL route 108

[@garybranch807]

Hi David, RT stands for Regent Three and the single decker RF Regal Four. I think these names came from AEC model range.

[@Threelinkdave]

@@garybranch807 Thanks for the swift answer

[@articeddie5494]

It’s an RT

[@malcolm6951]

5 years are you sure that is all?? Looks in need a of a little more work than a good T-Cutting!!

[@Routemaster4Hire]

You could be right, will just have to wait and see. We are aiming for 5yrs but could be longer.

[@grahamsibbert2412]

My favourite bus to drive. I well remember the instructors words. “Down, pause, Up” when changing gear. I liked the RMs but the RTs were better. The modern abominations are awful.

[@Routemaster4Hire]

Ours too! Modern buses are just boxes on wheels.